TPSD adds elementary head, moves one

TUPELO – Two Tupelo elementary schools will have new principals next year.
Lawhon Elementary Principal Christy Carroll will move to Carver Elementary School to replace Terry Harbin, who took a job teaching an educational leadership class at Delta State University.
Corlis Curry, who is principal at West Amory Elementary, will replace Carroll as Lawhon’s leader.
Tupelo’s school board approved both hires at its regular meeting on Tuesday. The board also approved hiring Leigh Mobley as Tupelo’s executive director of school improvement, a position that essentially will serve as curriculum director.
Mobley currently serves as Amory’s director of instruction, supervision and professional development. She replaces Glenda Scott, who is retiring at the end of June.
Incoming Tupelo Superintendent Gearl Loden has worked with both Curry and Mobley in Amory, where he is currently superintendent.
“I really believe in Dr. Loden and his philosophy and his leadership, and I am looking forward to working under him again and putting some of his vision in place,” said Mobley, who did her student teaching at Rankin Elementary in Tupelo.
Mobley also has served as a teacher, a principal, and a director of curriculum, assessment and technology. Loden said she has been “one of my right hands” in Amory.
“She has a wide variety of experiences, and she will bring a wealth of knowledge,” Loden said.
Carroll, meanwhile, has been principal for five years at Lawhon, a second- to fifth-grade school. Carver, which has kindergarten and first grade, is Lawhon’s lone feeder school.
“She has great knowledge of Carver and will be a great fit,” Loden said, noting that Carroll was willing to make the switch.
Carroll said it was a difficult decision, but that she was ready for a new challenge and that she looks forward to working with the Carver staff and community.
“I see it as a great opportunity,” she said. “I had worked with K-3, and I enjoyed that age. I love Lawhon, and I will be working with some of the same families.”
Curry taught English at Tupelo High School for seven years and still lives in Tupelo.
“It is like returning home,” Curry said. “I also know Dr. Loden’s philosophy, and I believe in his philosophy, and I want to be a part of helping him do the job he needs to do in Tupelo.
chris.kieffer@journalinc.com